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(No hiodl.) r I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. S. OLIVER.

ARMY AGGOUTREMBNT.

No. 563,404. Patented July 7, 1896.

Wo'Zue .s 565 IzvezzZon (No Model.)

2Sheets -Sheet 2. I W. 'S. OLIVER.

ARMY AGGOUTREMENT.

Patented. July 7, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM SILVER OLIVER, OF HALIFAX, CANADA.

ARMY-ACCOUTREMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 563,404, dated July '7, 1896.

Applicatio $18.1 December 31, 1895. Serial No. 573,879. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SILVER OLI- VER, of the city of Halifax, Province of Nova Scotia, Dominion of Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Army-Accoutrements, which are fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention has reference to army accouterments and particularly to such as are specially adapted for infantry, as, for example, that described in my Patent No. 182,695, dated September 26, 1876.

The object of my present invention is to simplify, in many respects, and to much improve the equipment (adding some new parts) described in my prior patent, and also to better distribute the Weight carried by a soldier in marching order, whereby he will not be subjected to injurious strains or fatigue from the effects of the load.

My invention therefore consists in the improved construction of the main brace, the same being made in one part instead of two, (as in my former patent,) preventing danger of one of the parts being lost, rendering the other useless, said main brace being also so formed as to give the wearer more case and freedom of movement; in the particular manner of attachment of the coat-strap to the main brace; in the construction of the frogs and auxiliary parts for connecting the main brace to the belt, 850.; in the construction of the ammunition-bag for preventing cartridges, &c., from dropping out when the bag is opened; in an improved space-sling, and also in other features which will be hereinafter explained.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,

forming part of this specification, wherein Figure 1 is a front view of asoldier equipped with my infantry-accoutrement. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 3 shows the main brace detached. Fig. tis a perspective view of the waist-belt. Figs. 5 and 5 are views representing my improved frogs for connecting the main brace and Waist-belt; and Fig. 5 shows an attachment for said frogs for holding a pick-handle, sword, or the like. Fig. 6 shows front and back views of a bottle-holder. Fig. 7 is a front view of the reserve ammunition-pouch. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ammunition-pouch. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the canteen strapped. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a spade-sling. Fig. 10 is a view of the crossed straps or yoke for holding the greatcoat, blanket, &c. and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the valise or bag for holding the kit.

The main or shoulder brace is composed of two curvilinear straps A A, connected together V-shaped at their wide endsto form a strong broad connection with the obtuse angle upward toward the back of the neck of the soldier, said straps being cut away, as at toward each extremity to fit. the shoulders and then rounded for a few inches, as at a, finally terminating in a one-inch strap B, connecting .with a buckle, strap, or hook E.

Hooks E engage loops or eyes T on a bag or valise at the buttocks.

The construction above explained drops the middle of the main brace into the middle of the soldiers back, leaving the neck free and relieving it from pressure. To the middle of the main brace is secured a loop F for attachment of the coat-yoke 0. At the point of connection of the straps A A are connected two straps b b, which diverge at right angles at the back of the soldier. C O are straps secured at one end, respectively, to the straps A A near the front of the shoulders and close to the rounded parts ct of said straps.

D is the waist-belt, having at its front upper edge two small loops J J, which are engaged by the hooks on the frogs, as will be hereinafter described. The construction of the main brace enables the waist-belt to be worn loose or open on the march. To secure the belt, it is provided with a tongue M at one end, having an aperture therein, which is engaged by the ordinary hook at the other end. (See Fig. 45.)

My improved frogs G G connect the main brace with the waist-belt at the front of the soldier, said frogs each consisting of a V- shaped strap, the divergent ends of which are each provided with a buckle d for connection with the free ends of the straps b c. A hook H is located at the convergent end to engage loop J on the front of the waist-belt. One of the frogs may have an additional or second leather holder or strap, (see Fig. 5,) whereby an ax, spade, or pick may be carried together with a sword and bayonet. This holder con1- prises a loop as, through which one of the divergent ends of the frog passes, and two open pockets 0c :0 over which a strap a may be tightened to hold the implements in place.

The reserve pouch N is a strong leather collapsible bag, preferably about six inches wide by five and one-half inches in greatest depth, capable of holding eighty rounds of ammunition (such as the Lee-Metford) in packages. It has a strong back strap K, five inches wide at top and tapering to one inch at its lower end, said strap being strongly attached to the upper edge of the bag by rivets. This back strap serves the purpose of attaching the bag to the waist-belt at the front. The main feature of this pouch is a leather guard Y for preventing the ammunition from falling out when the flap of the bag is open, said guard being formed by extending the front of the bag about an inch above the pocket and folding or bending it inwardly, Figs. 7 and 7 This construction and introduction into my system of accoutrements of such a pouch is much superior to the present method of carrying ammunition in pouches, which when open allow the contents to easily fall out. The coat-yoke 0, Fig. 10, consists of two three-quarter inch straps each thirty inches long and crossing each other four inches from the buckle ends, where they are bound by a cross-strap 0 three and one-quarter inches long and one inch wide, which acts as a rest to bear upon the loop F when the yoke is threaded through the loop. The yoke 0 serves to secure the greatcoat L, the blanket, &c.

The spade-sling P serves to carry aspade or other intrenching-tool in a fixed position and out of the soldiers way. It consists of a three-quarter-of-an-inch strap about fiftyeight inches long, the ends buckling together and being provided with a pocket Q. In securing the spade either on right orleft side of the soldier, the handle is passed downward through the strap which is looped thereabout, and the pocket Q is slipped down over the blade of the improvement, as shown in Fig. 1. The bag or valise B, Fig. 11, is preferably made of strong waterproof canvas, fourteen by nine by four inches in size, and is provided with a long flap, twelve inches in length, three outside straps, and a strong inside pocket. Loops s s are formed on the back of the bag, through which the waist-belt passes to keep the valise or bag steady on the buttocks, and also to permit the bag to be moved to right front when required, bringing it within easy reach for removal of contents without disturbing the accouterments or shifting a brace or strap. Attached to each corner of bag R is a loop T for receiving the hooks E on main brace to support the bag on buttocks. At the lower end of each side wall of the bag is a strong leather pocket 1' for the carriage, within easy reach, of twenty rounds of extra ammunition. The soldier by unfastening the left-hand hook E from the loop T on the bag can move the latter to his right front without disturbing the equipment. Bag R serves as a magazine for food, extra ammunition, and a few articles of kit, &c., and enables the soldier to dispense with ration-bag and other parts.

The bottle-holder U, Fig. 6, is aleather receptacle for carriage of a soda-water bottle on a leather loop on the waist-belt in a fixed outof-the-way position, but easy of access and without necessity of a bottle-strap.

The canteen V consists of a complete inner as well as outer tin vessel, preferably six and one-half inches by four inches. The inner vessel is for the reception and isolation of the meat portion of the ration. The cover of the inner tin of the canteen may be used as a plate and the inner cover as a frying-pan, and both may be used separately for drinking and cooking and for the reception and carriage of extra rations.

The parts of my accoutrement are secured together by rivets at points where such mode of connection is permissible, thus avoiding the objection to sewing due to the rotting of the thread.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In an army-accoutrement for infantry and the like, a harness or system of straps for supporting the bags, packs, 850. comprising two straps secured together at an angle, which opens upwardly at the back of the soldier and extending forwardly over the shoulders forming the main brace, two converging straps secured to the juncture of the shoulder-straps, two front straps secured respectively at one end to the forward ends of the shoulder-straps, means for connecting the free ends of the shoulder-straps to a suitable bag or valise, and two frogs each connected with its corresponding front and back straps, and a belt with which said frogs are also connected, substantially as described.

2. In an army-accoutrement for infantry and the like, a harness or system of straps for supporting the bags, packs, &c. comprising two straps, secured together at an anglegvhich opens upwardly at the back of the soldier and extending forwardly over the'shoulders forming the main brace, hooks on the ends of said straps, two converging back straps secured to the juncture of the shoulder-straps, two front straps secured respectively at one end to the forward ends of the shoulder-straps, a bag or valise at the back of the soldier having loops or eyes thereon into which the hooks on the main brace are engaged, two frogs formed of V-shaped straps each carrying a hook at its converging end and buckles at its diverging ends with which the free ends of the back and front straps respectively engage, a belt for supporting the bag or valise having loops thereon with which the hooks on the frogs are engaged, substantially as described.

3. In an army-accoutrement a collapsible ammunition-pouch having a front flap and an inner guard formed 'by extending the front wall of the pouch upwardly'and bending it inwardly over the pocket, substantially as described.

4. In an army-accoutrement the combination with the main brace front and back straps secured thereto, and a belt, of two frogs formed of V-shaped straps each connected at its converging ends to the front and back straps respectively and at its divergent end to the belt, and an attachment for one of said frogs consisting of a loop, two open pockets formed on said 100p and a strap for closing said pockets to secure a pick, sword or other 15 implement placed therein, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM SILVER OLIVER.

Witnesses:

JOHN HAROLD BROWN, FRED. HENRY DRAKE. 

